High efficiency class c amplifier



April 3, 1951 J. c. FERGUSON 2,546,993 HIGH EFFICIENCY CLASS 0 AMPLIFIER Filed Jan. 4, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 FIG! WAVE SOURCE F I G. 2

i 4T|ME DELAY 4o NETWORK 33 I 34 OUTPUT 35 I/ i 4TlME DELAY NETWORK '7 32 J, ll 36 f 8 ZTIME DELAY NETWORK INVENTOR EPH C. FERGUSON J. c. FERGUSON 2,546,993

HIGH EFFICIENCY CLASS C AMPLIFIER April 3, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1947 F G. 3 2 45 o /23 28 ami E E2;

L 1 a 4 fi L .L I? J I 5| I II II I II II 66 j, n n 63 1' 2 6] ,,l T=I E 78 [66] [W] 74 T3 72 76 7| 60 PHASE PHASE PHASE 240 PHASE 300 PHASE SHIFTER SHIFTER SHIFTER SHIFTER SHIFTER I lift 77 g A INVENTOR JOSEPH C. FERGUSON ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 3, 1951 UM TEE S 'F-ATES PATENT Q FFECE HIGH EFFIGIENCY CIAS S GAMPLIFIER Joseph C. Ferguson, "Fort Wayne,. Ind., ,assignor, by mesneassignments, to Farnsworth Research Corporation, acorporation of Indiana Application January 4-, 1947, -Serial.N10. #520,266

'9 Claims. :1 .This invention .relatesgenerally 'toamplifiers, and particularly pertains'to acathode raytube arrangedvas a high efii'ciency classC amplifier.

"Itisconventionalpractice toprovide a cathode raytube with two targets orcollector anodes and to defiect'the electron beam developed. in the tube across "the" two"'targets in accordance with an input signal. fThe targets may be connected "in push-pull "across an' inductance or 'a tuned circuit to developanoutput'signal. Althougha "convention-a1cathoderaytube arranged for defiection 'moduation may-be utilized -as a class Camplifier, theeinciencyof'the tube-is-low be- "cause' the-electron current can beutilized only for a small fraction-of the time. On the otherhand, if'the targets arearrangedin suchamanner that the beam impacts the-targets during a major portion=-of the deflection cyclegthe thermal losses increase. because -mostof the electroncurrent is collected at aehigh voltage.

1 Recently 'cathcde ray- L-tuhes- :have beent-developed which permit passage of an electron: current JOfiflle order of onecampere. :Hence, a

cathodetray tube may-bentilizedas a...pow.er

.amplL'ier-im which case class Coperationis de- .sirablerin: view of the high .emciency obtained thereby.

' It is-an:objectof the present'invention, therefore, to provide a. cathode ray tube arranged as a .highefi'iciency class C amplifier.

.A further object of the invention is to provide a.cathode raytube wherein the-energy representedby thecurrent of the electronbeam is utilized. substantially; continuously .during each cycle of .operationior.developing class C output pulses.

"In accordance-with the present invention there is provided ahigh efiiciencyclass C amplifier-ineluding a cathode ray tubewhich comprises a plurality of targets. There areprovided means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward the targets and means for cyclically defiecting the beam in a closed path across each target in succession. Finally means are provided including an output circuit for adding the impulses derived from each target during one deflection cycle of the beam with such a time delay that all of these impulses occur in the output circuit substantially simultaneously. In this manner the current represented by the electron 'beam is utilized substantially continuosuly.

For a better understanding of the inventiomtogether withother and further objects thereof, reference is made: to the following fidescription, taken in connection with the accompanying -drawingaand its. scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. ljillus'trates .a cathode .ray tubearranged as a class .C amplifier and embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2'is a .plan view of four targets which may be U provided vin..the..tube of Fig. 1 and their 7 as- .sociatedcircuits. arranged to, add the pulses derivedbytheirnpact .of the eleotronlbeam with the. .targets.in.suchgamanner that they occurat the same instant;

'-Fig..3.is,.a .planlview similar .to Fig.2. and ilj'lustrating four Itargetsand afmodi'fied circuit coupledtheretoadaptedfor adding-two sinusoidal .waves in phase; and

'Fig. 4., is a fplanlview-v of. six targets which may Qbeprovidedina.cathoderay'tube and their associated circuits'in accordancewith-the invention.

Referring now tolthedrawings, in which like components, aredesignated by the same reference numerals throughout. the; figures and;.particularly to Fig. 1, there is, provided. cathode ray tube I 'which is arranged as ahigh efiiciency class C amplifier. Cathode ray tube I, comprises electron :gunz which may include cathode 3,. controlgrid ljfir'st .anode.'5 and second anode6. "Electron gurIZ is arranged'fordeveloping an'electron beam and directing "it toward targets '75, only two of :whichare' shown in Fig." l.

For-the purpose of applying operating poten- 'tials to electron gun Zthese is provideda suitable potential source such as ibattery'a having its a terminals connected across voltage divider it. "The negative terminal of battery 5 may be grounded as shown. By means ofsuitable taps on voltage divider HE} theelectrodes of electron g"u.n."2 are supplied with operating potentials. "Controlgrid 13 may be connected to ground through grid leak resistor H, and an input signal -mayheimpressed;upon'input terminals l2 for modulating the intensity of the electron beam.

The'electron beam developed by electron gun is deflected across targets l in'asu bstantially oircularpath; Tot'his end there are provided deflecting plates i 3 and I j Deflecting plates "I 3 are connected to'wave-source-l 5 which develops a sinusoidal wave such as a carrier wave. 'Deilect- "ing plates"M are'connected to wave source "I5 through-90 degrees phase-shifter It so that the waves impressed upon defiecting plates is and l are in phase-"quadrature. The leadsconnect- 'ing deflecting plates 'iiand It with-wave source lSan'd phase shiiter lfi; respectively; may be short circuited by resistors i7 and I8, respectively,

having their center points connected to second anode 3 so that the average potential of the deflecting plates equals that of second anode 3. The electrostatic fields developed by the waves impressed upon deflecting plates l3 and M. will cause the electron beam to rotate in a circularpath across targets 1. Targets are connected to the positive terminal of battery 3 through tuned circuits 2D and 2|.

The number of targets I of cathode ray tube l preferably equals three or more. Referring now to Fig. 2, there are illustrated four targets 23, 24, 25 and 23 which may be provided in cathode ray tube 4 and which are disposed about a circle. The electron beam which'impacts targets 1, that is, targets 23 to 26 is indicated at 21. The electron beam is deflected across targets '23 to 23 in succession in a circular path indicated by arrow 28. The electron beam need only be roughly focused, and in some cases focusing may not be necessary as long as the cross section of electron beam 27 is not appreciably larger than one of the targets 23 to 26. Every time the electron beam impacts one of the targets, an impulse may be derived from the target. The number of impulses obtained during a deflection cycle of the beam is, of course, equal to the number of targets.

In accordance with the present invention these impulses are added with such a time delay that all impulses occur at the same instant in the output circuit. Thus, cathode ray tube 1 may be operated in the manner of a class C amplifier.

The operating angle of the tube is equal to 360 electrical degrees divided by the number of targets. Therefore, if cathode ray tube l is provided with four targets as illustrated in Fig. 2, the operating angle of the tube amounts to 90 degrees. If, for example, three or six targets are provided, the operating angle of the tube amounts to 120 or 63 degrees, respectively. Since the efficiency of a class C amplifier increases as the operating angle decreases, it is preferred to provide at least three targets and preferably four.

Targets 23, 24, 25 and 26 are respectively connected to resonant circuit 3G, 3!, 32 and 33 which, in turn, are returned to the positive pole of battery 8 to supply the targets with a suitable steady voltage. Resonant circuits to 33 of Fig. 2 correspond to tuned circuits 20 and 2| of Fig. 1. The impulses derived from targets 23 to 26 upon impact of the electron beam therewith are converted into sinusoidal waves in tuned circuits 30 to 33, as is well known. The sinusoidal waves developed in tuned circuits 30 to 33 are now added in phase.

To this end there are provided time delay networks 34, 35 and 36. Each time delay network 34, 35 and 33 is arranged to impart a time delay of t/4 to a wave or impulse passing therethrough where t is the time required for the electron beam to be deflected once across all targets 23 to 26. Expressed in another way, time delay networks 34, 35 and 36 may be considered as phase shifters which will shift the phase of the input wave through 90 degrees.

Time delay network 34 has its input coupled to tuned circuit 35 through inductor 31. The output wave of time delay network 34 is connected to the input circuit of time delay network 35 which is further coupled through coil 38 to tuned circuit 3|. Similarly, the output of time delay network 35 is impressed upon time delay network 36 as well as the wave developed in tuned circuit 32. Output circuit 40 is connected to the output of time delay network 36 and is furthermore coupled to tuned circuit 33 as illustrated.

The operation of the circuit illustrated in Fig. 2 will now be evident. Let it be assumed that the cathode ray beam impacts at first target 23 whereby an impulse may be derived from target 23. This impulse is converted in tuned circuit 33 into a first sinusoidal wave which is impressed upon time delay network 34. After a time corresponding to 12/4, a second impulse is derived from target 24 which is converted in tuned circuit 3! into a second sinusoidal wave which in turn is impressed upon the next time delay net: work, that is, network 35. Accordingly, the two waves impressed upon the network 35 from network 34 and from tuned circuit 3| are in phase. When the electron beam impacts target 25, a third impulse is derived which in turn is converted into a sinusoidal wave impressed upon network 36 in phase with the output wave of network 35. The electron beam is finally deflected upon target 26 to develop a fourth sinusoidal wave in tuned circuit 33. The output wave obtained from network 36 is in phase with the wave developed in tuned circuit 33.

It will accordingly be seen that time delay networks 34, 35 and 36 are connected in cascade so that the first sinusoidal wave developed in tuned circuit 33 is delayed three times through degrees, while the second wave developed in tuned circuit 3| is delayed twice and the third wave developed in tuned circuit 32 is delayed once by the same amount corresponding to 12/4. The four waves are accordingly added in phase in output circuit 46. The current represented by the electron beam is utilized substantially continuously except for the negligible losses occasioned by the spaces between the four targets 23 to 26.

A modified circuit in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Fig. 3. Four targets 23 to 23 are shown which may be identical with the targets illustrated in Fig. 2. The four targets 23 to 26 may be considered to be arranged in pairs, the two targets of each pair being disposed opposite to each other with respect to the circle indicated by arrow 23 through which the electron beam is deflected. The first pair of targets, that is, targets 23 and 25 is connected across resonant circuit 45 while the second pair of targets, that is, targets 24 and 26 is connected across resonant circuit 46. The mid points of the ininductors of resonant circuits 45 and 46 are connected to the positive terminal of battery 6 for applying operating potentials to the targets.

' Each pair of targets, that is, targets 23, 25 and targets 24, 23 is accordingly connected in phase opposition to resonant circuits 45 and 43, respectively. Resonant circuit 45 may be coupled to output circuit 47 through inductor 43. Resonant circuit 45 is coupled to output circuit 4'! through inductor 53 which in turn is connected to transmission line 5| which may be a coaxial cable as illustrated. As indicated in Fig. 3, the length of coaxial cable 5! is such as to introduce a time delay of 1.74. The output waves developed in resonant circuits 45 and 43 are therefore added in phase in output circuit 47. It will be obvious that the time delay or phase shift between the sinusoidal waves developed in resonant circuits 45 "I I. circuits 512 to '65 upon impact of the electron beam and amounts to 90 degrees. It-is to be understood that coaxial cable 5| may be replaced by any other suitable phase shift or time delay means which will introduce a phase shift of 90 degrees or a time delay of 25/4.

Referring now to Fig. 4,'there is illustrated another modification of the invention, including six targets 55, 55, 57, 58, 59 and 69 which may be substituted for targets '5 in cathode ray tube I. Theelectron beam indicated at '21 may be deflected in a direction indicated by arrow 28. Targets 55 to 66 are connected, respectively, to resonant circuits 6|, 62,153, 64, 65 and 66 which are returned to the positive terminal .of battery 8. Resonant circuits 6! to 66 are coupled to output circuit 68 in such a manner that the sinusoidal waves developed in circuitsSl to 66 are added in phase. Output circuit 88 has been illustrated as a resonant circuit, but it is'to be understood that its condenser may be omitted provided the impedance of the load is properly matched to that of output circuit 63.

For the purpose of adding the Waves developed in resonant circuits 6! to $8 in proper phase there are provided phase shifters H, 12, 13, M and 75. The irput of phase shifter H is coupled to resonant circuit 6i through inductor 16, while its output is coupled to output circuit 68 through inductor 'i'i. Phase shifter 72 to F5 are similarly coupled, on the one hand, to resonant circuits 62 to 65, respectively, and to output circuit 58, on the other hand. Resonant circuit 65 may be coupled to output circuit 68 either directly or through a coupling link including inductors i8 and 88 as illustrated.

Let it be assumed that electron beam 21 impacts at first target 55. The sinusoidal Wave which is consequently developed in resonant circuit Si is impressed upon output circuit 68 with a phase shift of 306 degrees through phase shifter Similarly, the waves developed in resonant will be impressed upon output circuit 88 with a phase shift of Z iddegrees, 180 degrees, 120 degrees and 60 degrees, respectively, through phase shifters 12 to E5. The wave developed in resonant circuit $6 is impressed upon output circuit 68 without phase shift. It will accordingly be seen that all the sinousoidal waves developed in resonant circuits El to 56 are impressed on output circuit 68 in phase.

The six targets to 80 shown in Fig. e'may be connected across resonant circuits in pairs disposed opposite to each other with respect to the circle through which the electron beam is deflected in the'inanner illustrated in Fig. 3. The raves --deveioped in the three resonant circuits coupled to the six targets 55 to 88 may be added in phase in an output circuit by suitable phase shifters. Thus, the wave developed in the resonant circuit coupled to targets 55 and 58 may be shifted through 120 degrees, while the Wave developed in the resonant circuit connected across targets 55 and 59 may be shifted through 60 degrees.

The two phase shifted waves may then be added to the wave developed in the resonant circuit connected across targets 5! and 60.

The circuit of Fig. 2 has the advantage that time delay networks or phase shifters 34 to 3B are all arranged to have the same time delay or phase shift. In the circuit of Fig. 4 each phase shifter is adapted to provide a different phase shift. On the other hand, the current flowing through time delay networks 35 and 36 of the circuit of Fig. 2 is considerably larger than that 'beam whereby a current in said output circuit 6 flowing through time'delay network 34 for which proper provision must be'made.

The amplifierof the:present invention may be utilized-in the samegmanner as a conventional class C amplifier and for the same purposes. Since cathode ray tubes have been designed to develop an electron current of the order of one ampere, the cathode ray-tube of the invention may beused-as apower amplifier. Modulation of the carrier wave developed by cathode ray tube I may, for example, be effected by modulating the beam intensity in accordance with an input signal in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. It is to be understood that any conventional method of modulating the output wave'of a class C amplifier may be utilized for obtaining a modulated carrier wave.

While there has been described what is at pres ent considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to coverall such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. I a

What is claimed is:

1. A high eiiiciency class C amplifier including acathode ray tube comp-rising a plurality of targets, means for developing'an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for cyclically deflecting said beam in a closed path across each of said targets in succession, a plurality ofresonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit coupled to each of said resonant circuits, and a plurality of delay means coupled intermediate said resonant circuits and said output circuit and adjusted in delay time to provide additive time relationship of the impulses'derived from each of said targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby a current in'said output circuit equal to the combined outputs of said resonant circuits is developed.

2. A high efliciency class C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising at least three targets arranged in a closed path, means for developing an electron beam and directing it towards said targets, means including a signal input oircuit for controlling said beam, means for cyclical- 1y deflecting said beam across each of said targets in-succession, a plurality of resonant circuits respectively ooupledto' said targets, an output circuit coupled to each of said resonant circuits, and a plurality of delay means coupled intermediate said resonant circuits and said output circuit and adjusted in delay time toprovide additive time relationship of the impulses derived from each of said targets during one deflection cycle of said equal to the combined outputs of said resonant circuits is developed.

3. A high efliciency class C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising a plurality of targets, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for deflecting said beam in a substantially circular path across each of said targets in succession, a plurality of resonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit coupled to each of said resonant circuits, and v a plurality of delay means coupled intermediate said resonant circuits and said output circuit and adjusted in delay time to provide additive time relationship of the impulses derived from each of said targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby a current in said output circuit equal to the combined outputs of said resonant circuits is developed.

4, A high efiiciency class C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising at least three targets, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means ineluding a signal input circuit for controlling said said targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby there is developed an output wave in said output circuit at a frequency equal to the deflection frequency of said beam.

5. A high efliciency class C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising a plurality of targets, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for deflecting said beam in a substantially circular path across each of said targets in succession, a plurality of resonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit coupled to each of said resonant circuits, and a plurality of delay means coupled intermediate said resonant circuits and said output circuit and adjusted in delay time to provide additive time relationship of the impulses derived from each of said targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby there is developed an output wave in said output circuit at a frequency equal to the deflection frequency of said beam.

6. A high efiiciency class C amplifier including -a cathode ray tube comprising a plurality of targets, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for deflecting said beam in a substantially circular path across each of said targets in succession, a plurality of resonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit to each of said resonant circuits, and a plurality of phase shifters coupled intermediate said resonant circuits and said output circuit and adjusted to shift the phase of the impulses derived from each of said targets, to provide additive time relationship of said impulses during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby an output wave is developed in said output circuit at a frequency equal to the deflection frequency of said beam.

7 A high efficiency class'C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising a plurality of targets, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for deflecting said beam in a substantially circular path across each of said targets in successionja plurality of resonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit, and a plurality of phase shifters, one coupled incascade intermediate every two of said resonant circuits which are coupled to adjacent of said targets, the output of one of said phase shifters being coupled to said output circuit, said phase shifters adjusted in delay time to provide additive time relationship of the impulses derived from each of said targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby there is developed an output wave in said outputv circuit at a frequency equal to the deflection frequency of said beam.

8. A high efficiency class C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising pairs of targets disposed substantially about a circle, the two targets of each of said pairs of targets being disposed opposite each other with respect to said circle, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for deflecting said beam across each of said targets in succession, a plurality of resonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit, and phase shifting means coupled intermediate said resonant circuits and said output circuit and adjusted to provide additive time relationship of the impulses derived from each of said targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby there is developed an output current in said output circuit equal to the combined outputs of said resonant circuits.

9. A high efliciency class C amplifier including a cathode ray tube comprising pairs of targets disposed substantially about a circle, the two targets of each of said pairs of targets being disposed opposite each other with respect to said circle, means for developing an electron beam and directing it toward said targets, means including a signal input circuit for controlling said beam, means for deflecting said beam across each of said targets in succession, a plurality of resonant circuits respectively coupled to said targets, an output circuit, and resonant transmission line means coupled between said resonant circuits and said output circuit for providing additive time relationship of the impulses derived from each pair of targets during one deflection cycle of said beam whereby there is developed a current in said output circuit equal to the combined outputs of said resonant circuits.

JOSEPH C. FERGUSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,999,884 Salzberg Apr. 30, 1935 2,177,256 Ives Oct. 24, 1939 2,257,795 Gray Oct. 7, 1941 2,174,194 Farnsworth Feb. 24, 1942 

